Page 60 of I’m Already Gone

“What’s cool, sweet pea?” I ask, a grin already forming as I pocket my phone.

“Including Ollie like he’s one of yours.”

Her words hit me, and there’s a sudden, heavy thud in my chest. For a second, I forget how to breathe.

She steps forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and giving me a squeeze. “Love you lots, Dad.”

“I love you more, sweet pea,” I manage, my voice a little rougher than usual, and I squeeze her back.

The sound of voices pulls my attention away to Jake and Ollie, shuffling down the hall.

“So, what do you guys want to do tonight?” I ask.

“How about a movie and popcorn?” Maddy suggests.

“Yeah! Popcorn!” Ollie cheers, punching his little fist into the air.

I look to Jake. “How about it?”

He shifts his gaze slowly from Maddy to Ollie, then finally to mine, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Sounds good to me.”

“Great!” I say, clapping my hands together. “You guys pick the movie, and I’ll get the snacks sorted.”

I head back toward the kitchen, but glance over my shoulder and see Ollie trailing right behind me, his little feet pattering on the floor.

“Hey, buddy. Are you okay?” I ask him.

He nods several times. “Can I help?” he asks, looking up at me with wide eyes. “Momma lets me help with the popcorn.”

“She does, huh?” I lean against the counter, a smile tugging at my lips. “What do you do to help?”

He lifts his arms, an invitation for me to pick him up. I chuckle softly, bending down and scooping him up under his armpits. I set him on the counter beside the sink, then walk to the cupboard and pull out the microwave popcorn.

“She lets me put the candy and nuts in the popcorn,” he explains.

I nod, retrieving a large mixing bowl from a lower cabinet. “That sounds like a very important job, Ollie.”

He shrugs, looking pleased with himself.

“Let’s see if I have what you need then.” I rummage through the cupboards until I find a bag of M&Ms, some peanuts, and a bag of mini pretzels.

I place the big bowl beside him and set the bags of goodies within his reach. I pop the bag of popcorn into the microwave and hit start.

The familiar whirring begins, followed by the first tentative pops, then a steady flurry. A few minutes later, the popping slows, and the microwave beeps.

Pulling the hot bag out, I carefully tear it open and pour the fluffy contents into the large bowl.

“Okay, buddy. What do I do now?” I ask him.

He points at the bags. “You have to open the bags first, and then put some in little cups for me. Then I put them in the bowl.”

“Got it, boss.” I do as he asks, tearing open the candy and nut bags and pouring a small amount of each into three little plastic bowls I found.

I watch as he pours the contents of each small cup into the popcorn bowl, one by one.

“We need more of this one,” he declares, his eyes fixed on the M&Ms, and he pours a generous extra helping into the bowl.

“Do you have a baggie?” he asks, looking up at me expectantly.